SLIPPERY ROCK — Nigel Barksdale and John Schademan received commemorative footballs for their record-breaking seasons.

Those two and the other 16 Slippery Rock University football seniors gave so much more to the program.

“We’re grateful for what they did for us,” SRU head coach George Mihalik said.

“They put us back on the map,” defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz echoed.

SRU held its annual football banquet Sunday at the Robert M. Smith Student Center, celebrating a 9-3 season that culminated with a PSAC West championship and the program’s first NCAA Division II playoff appearance since 1999.

Senior quarterback Barksdale set Rock single season records of 247 completions, 427 attempts, 3,736 yards and 30 touchdown passes. By vote of the conference coaches, he was named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year.

Schademan was named SRU’s MVP on offense by vote of the Rock players. He set single-season school records as well with 77 catches for 1,484 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“It really was a blessing for me, coming here,” Schademan said. “I became a better person, not just a better football player.”

Special teams MVPs were Robert Joyce and punter James McCombie. The latter led the PSAC and was fifth in the nation with a 43.2-yard punting average.

McCombie credited Butler graduate and true SRU freshman Bob Vernick for his long-snapping ability this past season.

“I needed a long snapper and, thank goodness, you gave me one,” he said of Vernick.

Linebacker Quindell Dean was named Defensive MVP by vote of his teammates. He tallied 76 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight pass break-ups.

Slippery Rock High graduate Tony Papley received the Gary Hunt Award, given to the team’s most intense competitor. Papley compiled 65 tackles, 12 for loss, as an under-sized nose tackle.

“He stood for the word relentless,” Lutz said. “Tony was 5-foot-11, 255 pounds and often lined up against guys well over six feet, 300 pounds.

“He had 14 tackles against Clarion. For a defensive tackle to get 14 tackles in a game is incredible.”

Other special awards included:

Linebacker Bob Westerlund and receiver Mike Bongivengo getting the Ken Marshall Award for hard work and dedication.

Marcus Martin and Cornelius Ray receiving the Scout Team Award.

Linebacker Derek Walker receiving the Paul Grimm Award for work in the weight room.

Running back Shamar Greene getting the Hoffman Homecoming MVP Award, running for 131 yards on 15 carries against Clarion.

Linebacker Gary Allen receiving the Dr. Richard McLachlan Award for dedication to the program.

Cornerback Anthony Saunders receiving the Robert DiSpirito Award for pride.

Running back Jimmy Zubik received the Coaches Award for being a true team player.

Receiver Ken Amos received the James McElhaney Award for being an honest, loyal gentleman. Amos had 60 catches for 827 yards.

Dr. Cheryl Norton, SRU president, addressed the team by saying “we’re not only proud of what you did on the field, but of how you’re represented this university.

“I’m proud to be affiliated with you and thank you for all you’ve given us.”

Forty-five percent of SRU’s roster had a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The Rock has 11 players with cumulative GPA’s of 3.5 or higher.

“This team is a true brotherhood,” Mihalik said. “When we reported for preseason practice August 15th, it was with heavy hearts. Only a few days earlier, one of our former brothers, Zach Sheridan, had his life taken.

“The seniors decided to take the field before every game showcasing his black No. 4 jersey. That was their decision. That’s the kind of people they are.”

Mihalik also pointed out that SRU’s average football game attendance of 6,882 led the PSAC for the fifth consecutive year and was 16th best in the country.

“Our goals here have been the same for years,” he said. “Earn a degree and graduate, win the Western Division, get a bid to the national playoffs and win a national championship.

“This program still has one of those goals to go and we’re going to keep striving for that.”